Winchelsea village voice

The talk begins at 7 for 7.30 pm in the Court Hall and light refreshments will be available.

Here is a summary of the Heritage Open Days over this weekend and all events are free. On Saturday 8th September the events are as follows: St Thomas’ Church will be open from 10.30 am till 5 pm for light refreshments. At 3 pm Canon Howard Cocks will give his talk on the Douglas Strachan windows and at 4 pm there will be an Organ Recital by Roger Marvin; the Methodist Chapel will be open to visitors from 10 am to 5pm as part of ‘Ride & Stride’; Blackfriars Barn Cellar Tours are at 11 am, 12.30 pm and 2 pm led by Winchelsea Archaeological Society (National Trust – no booking). Please meet at the Town Well in Castle Street in good time as there is a maximum of 25 people per tour. Also on that day the Winchelsea Garden Society Autumn Show will take place at 2 pm in the New Hall and will include a raffle, teas and a plant stall.

On Sunday 9th September St Thomas’ Church will be open from 1 to 5 pm for light refreshments. Also at the Church there is a second opportunity to hear the talk by Canon Howard Cocks on the stained glass windows beginning at 3 pm which will be followed by Roger Marvin’s Organ Recital at 4 pm. There will be more Cellar Tours including Blackfriars Barn at 11 am and 2 pm (NT – no booking) led by FOAM (Friends of the Ancient Monuments). Meet at the Town Well in Castle Street (maximum 25 people per tour) and booklets are £1 each. The Court Hall & Museum will be open from 1 pm till 5 pm and light refreshments will be available. Inside there will be a Photo Exhibition on ‘The Speaker & Cinque Ports History plus ‘The Poole and Winchelsea Certificate’. It should be a very busy and exciting weekend for the town and entry is free!

A Rector’s Farewell Supper will be held on Saturday 8th September for newly retired Canon Howard Cocks. This will be between 7 and 9 pm at Winchelsea Cottage. There will be light refreshments and you do not need to bring anything other than a £5 contribution towards catering costs. Please contact one of the Churchwardens, Sue Chetwood or John Rodley, if you wish to attend.

There will be no 8 am service at St Thomas’ Church this Sunday, 9th September. The Choral Eucharist is as usual at 10.30 am and will be led by Revd. Paddy Buxton.

Winchelsea Second Wednesday Society meets on Wednesday 12th September at the usual time of 2.30 pm in the New Hall. The talk is by Peter Southgate, the illustrator of the famous ‘Orlando the Marmalade Cat’ books and is entitled: The Life and Art of Kathleen Hale. For non-members the cost is £3.50 which includes the talk and tea and for members 50p per meeting. If you would like to become a member the subscription is £10 per annum.

Following the decision to hold a third ballot on the proposal to turn off the footlights between midnight and 5.30 am (to reduce costs) the result was 63 against and 50 for. In comparing the percentage of voters in the present and previous ballots, the turnout on this latest ballot was equivalent to 28% of registered voters or about 21% of adult residents; of confirmed residents who voted the turnout was equivalent to 26% of registered voters or about 19% of adult residents. The first ballot by the parish council was rejected because the turnout was 24%. However you look at it there does not seem to be much difference in the numbers voting on either occasion but the present outcome may well prove expensive.

In view of the lack of petrol stations in this area Jempson’s recently informed me that they have a reliable service in Peasmarsh. Although a few minutes drive out of Rye they offer competitively priced fuel and are open from 6 am to 10 pm Monday to Saturday. Major redevelopment works are due to commence at the Peasmarsh site in the next 12 months and there will be extra pumps, some of which will be a 24 hour service ‘pay at pump’ arrangement, as well as a hand car wash and other features.

Cindi Cogswell, 31 Highfords, Icklesham